In March, most of us become time travelers, which sounds a lot more fun than it actually is. Daylight saving time has us springing forward by an hour as we all collectively turn our clocks ahead and speed up our Sunday. Some people enjoy the time shift, which leads to brighter evenings that coincide with warmer weather. Others resent the shorter weekend and darker mornings. But no matter how you feel about skipping sixty minutes into the future, the fact is that it can be dangerous in the short term, especially on the road.
Switching up routines right before the official start of spring leads to about a 6% increase in fatal traffic incidents, and these are heavily attributed to fatigue and unfamiliar lighting conditions. Daylight saving time is disorienting. Thankfully, it’s also predictable, and a little preparation before turning the key in the ignition can make all the difference when driving after a time shift. Since we know this increased driving risk happens annually, now is a good time to review a few spring daylight saving time vehicular safety tips with workers, friends and family members.
Tip 1: Prepare for sleepy mornings
Driving drowsy is dangerous. And no matter what the clock says, after the daylight saving spring forward, your body knows that you are waking up an hour earlier than normal. It takes time to adjust to any sleep schedule change, even if it’s just hopping ahead by sixty minutes. There are a number of techniques that can help prepare for a lost hour of sleep, like going to bed at an earlier hour the week preceding the spring time shift. But there are other ways to make mornings safer, too. Consider preparing for work and the morning commute the night before by packing lunch in advance and making sure everything needed for the day is ready and waiting by the door. Set a screen time limit in the evening to help promote sleep and avoid the overstimulating effects of smartphones. If you’re a coffee drinker, consider setting an automatic timer on your coffee machine so that your brew is ready when you wake up. By prioritizing a good night’s sleep and minimizing morning tasks, you take a lot of stress out of the start of your day, putting you in a better mindset for concentrating on driving.
Tip 2: Watch the weather
For many parts of the country, the March time shift coincides with the beginning of spring, and that means that while we’re all adjusting to a new sleep schedule, we also need to be prepared for turbulent driving conditions. More rain, black ice, fog from melting snow, even the occasional blizzard or squall—there’s a reason for the saying, “March comes in like a lion.”
By checking the forecast regularly, you can mentally prepare for the weather during your commute. This preparation can help you keep focused on the road when Mother Nature might otherwise surprise you with frustrating driving conditions. That’s one less thing to worry about in the dark mornings, and a great way to make sure you have everything to make it home safe after work is done. And when it comes to nice weather (spring isn’t all bad), be sure to have some sunglasses on hand for safety’s sake.
Tip 3: Spring cleaning
In regions that experience winter, spring can be messy. Salt and slush and muddy puddles all conspire to cover your vehicle in a vision-blocking film. And that’s dangerous—studies show that reduced visibility is among the most common contributors to traffic incidents. Fortunately, a little preparation can go a long way, especially because once you’re on the road, trying to address visibility problems in a vehicle becomes an incredibly dangerous prospect.
The dark mornings from daylight saving time might make it tough to see exactly what needs to be wiped off before you hit the road, so it’s especially important to take the time before you buckle up to make sure your windshield, mirrors and cameras are all clean enough to see through, especially when the sun starts to rise, which can add a dangerous glare factor. And it’s worth wiping down these areas before driving home at the end of the day, too. A clean windshield and mirrors are essential for safety, especially in changing light conditions. Be sure to keep wiper fluid stocked and full, and double check that sensors and cameras are clear of dirt before starting the engine.
Annual annoyances like daylight saving time are a familiar pain, but they don’t have to lead to incidents or injuries. We’re all in this together. Talk to the people in your life about how they can prepare for a safe drive after we spring forward, and share these tips in toolbox talks, one-on-one conversations or on digital displays. By helping ourselves and others drive safely in times when we know there’s an elevated risk of incidents, we make the roads a better place for everyone.